By Park Ji-wonEight candidates have joined the leadership race for the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK).The party plans to hold a primary, Thursday, to narrow the candidates down to three. Among them, the party's next leader will be elected at a national convention scheduled for Aug. 25, replacing Rep. Choo Mi-ae.Following the entries of political veterans such as 66-year-old Lee Hae-chan, a former prime minister in the liberal President Roh Moo-hyun's administration and a seven-term lawmaker, the party is likely being questioned over its direction on whether to pursue stability or innovation.The DPK's 420 central committee members, consisting of lawmakers, governors and mayors, will exercise voting rights to choose three candidates in the primary which will be held in the National Assembly, Thursday. The DPK, which holds 129 seats in the 292-member unicameral National Assembly, will also elect five members of its decision-making Supreme Council. They will lead the party for two years.Many, including insiders and pollsters, expect Lee to win, as he is a seasoned politician who has a firm support base in the DPK with close ties to both senior lawmakers and the party's so-called pro-Moon faction, along with Cheong Wa Dae. Lee worked for the Roh administration together with President Moon Jae-in who was Roh's chief of staff.Lee's supporters say he could play a key role in better setting relations with Cheong Wa Dae as it is a crucial time for Moon who is entering his second year in office.However, some suggest the need for innovation in the party and a shift in generations by voting for new figures.A party insider urged taking "a wait-and-see approach," as there are possibilities that Lee might not pass the primary, citing the 2016 primary when Rep. Song Young-gil, a political heavyweight, didn't win a seat.Rep. Lee In-young, Choi Jae-sung, Kim Du-kwan, Park Beom-kye, Kim Jin-pyo, Song Young-gil and Lee Jong-kul also threw their hats into the race.